Week 5 gave College Football fans plenty to cheer about with several Top-25 teams pushed to the brink including Clemson and Ohio State. Week 6 features the return of the red-river-rivalry, another big challenge for Notre Dame, and a Marquee Matchup in the SEC. Not as many ranked versus ranked this week but that usually promises a few unexpected shockers to mix things up in the College Football regular season.
#7 Oklahoma vs. #19 Texas: The Red River Rivalry is renewed in 2018 as both storied programs rank inside the Associated Press Top-25. The Sooners seem to be on auto-pilot offensively but almost got caught looking ahead in Week 4 versus Army. The Longhorns shook off an unexpected loss to Maryland in Week 1, winning 4 straight games. Oklahoma’s QB Kyler Murray is light-years ahead of Texas at that position.
Texas has the better defense and if they can create turnovers especially in the first half this one could go down to the wire. The troublesome fact that remains stuck in the back of my head is Oklahoma’s light September schedule which could expose a few issues that haven’t come to light just yet. Look for Kyler Murray to do something special in the fourth quarter.
The Pick: Oklahoma 33 Texas 23
#6 Notre Dame at #24 Virginia Tech: Irish QB Ian Book is coming into his own and the proof is in the pudding over the last two starts. Without Josh Jackson in the starting lineup for the Hokies it will be difficult to mount an attack versus Notre Dame’s ‘D’. Ryan Willis will have confidence based off a quality start in Week 5 and has chance to be a difference-maker on Saturday. Beamer –ball will have to be on display for the Virginia Tech to control the momentum and spur on the home crowd. The combination of stifling defense and new found life on offense will be too much for the Hokies to overcome.
The Pick: Notre Dame 27 Virginia Tech 23
#5 LSU at #22 Florida: The LSU Tigers put together quite a September resume with victories over #17 Miami and #8 Auburn. The Gators have found their groove the last few weeks after suffering a defeat to #13 Kentucky. For the most part LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has been game manager-like, yet able to make a play when called upon. Last week Burrow put up career numbers and will look to improve game-by-game in an offense he’s just starting to fully grasp. Which Florida team shows up is anyone’s guess, a problem that’s plagued the Gators for several seasons. Ugly and downright nasty style of football will be the calling card in this every important SEC cross-divisional matchup. LSU wins via late field goal.
The Pick: LSU 19 Florida 16
The 3-2 Arizona State Sun Devils will travel to Boulder and upset #21 Colorado.
(Honorable Mention: #13 Kentucky takes the show on the road to Texas Station and beats the 6-point favorites Texas A&M Aggies)
#17 Miami vs. Florida State: Throw the records out of the window when these two bitter rivals meet in a crucial ACC title.
#13 Kentucky vs. Texas A&M: Undefeated Kentucky will be tested yet again and you better believe the Aggies will be ready for a fight. The Aggies battled both Alabama and Clemson, now have a chance to beat a ranked team after falling short twice.
The San Diego State Aztecs may lose to the favorite Boise State just not by the 14.5 Las Vegas tells us.
(Honorable Mention: Which Maryland or Michigan team will show up on Saturday morning is a mystery, that said it may be wise to take a flyer out on the 17-point under dog Terrapins.)
Take it to the bank that #14 Stanford will beat Utah by at least 6-points.
-Kyler Murray continued his dominance replacing Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, this time against Baylor. The Sooners signal-caller threw for 432 yards accounting for 7 TD’s.
-It certainly wasn’t Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley’s fault the Nittany Lions lost to Ohio State. McSorley set a single-game school record for total offense at 461, 179 of those yards were rushing in a losing effort.
-Notre Dame QB Ian Book made it back to back standout starts lighting up Stanford’s defense for 4 touchdowns in a clutch 38-17 victory.
– Washington’s stellar QB Jake Browning becomes the Huskies all-time passing leader with 10,347 career yards.
– Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin had a heck-of-a-game rushing for a school record 312 yards & 3 touchdowns as the Sun Devils took care of business versus Oregon State 52-24.
-The 17th-ranked Miami Hurricanes defense had their signature ‘Turnover Chain’ out for the whole country to see last Thursday night by forcing 6 turnovers and scoring 3 defensive touchdowns to smash North Carolina 47-10.
-Kansas Jayhawk and true freshman running back Pooka Williams Jr. leads the Big-12 in rushing averaging 125 yards a game good enough for 6th in the FBS after 5 weeks.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio or TheGruelingTruth.Net
Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.